Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Saturday directed all the government departments to complete their monsoon-related preparations ahead of the rainy season.
Satheesan issued the direction at a high-level meeting convened by him to review the monsoon preparations, a statement issued by his office said.
He directed all the departments to strictly follow the instructions of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) in view of the unexpected weather changes and the possibility of disasters, including landslides, during the rainy season.
He also emphasised upon strengthening the coordination with central agencies and meteorological observation systems to make weather forecasts more scientific, the statement said.
In the meeting, the CM also ordered scientific monitoring of dams safety, rainfall availability and water flow and directed that all the departments maintain continuous contact with the Central Water Commission and the Dam Safety Authority, it said.
It should be ensured that the water level in dams does not reach above the rule curve, he directed.
Besides that, the CM said the list of people in disaster-prone areas should be updated at the local body and village levels, all local bodies should immediately complete pre-monsoon cleaning, basic facilities including toilets, electricity, lights, fans and kitchens should be ensured in buildings used as relief camps and mosquito control activities should be intensified, the statement said.
Additionally, he ordered that safety of schools should be checked by ensuring that the surrounding walls, roofs and nearby trees are not in a dangerous condition, availability of necessary medicines in the health sector should be ensured and treatment facilities for snakebites should be set up, it said.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert in Thiruvananthapuram for the afternoon as the state capital witnessed heavy rainfall that led to waterlogging of roads and uprooting of trees in many places.
It also issued a yellow alert in eight districts of the state for the day.
An orange alert means very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm, while a yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.
The IMD also predicted rain with thunder and lightning as well as strong winds in some parts of the state from Saturday to June 3.
